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Obituaries 06-20-2012

Marjorie A. (Sullivan) Snow of St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Revere, died peacefully on June 8. She was 83 years old.

Born in Medford on September 15, 1928, she lived in Massachusetts most of her life before moving to Florida in 1980. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeremiah Snow, her daughter Judith Sidley, her parents John L. Sullivan and Agnes Sullivan and her brother, John Sullivan. She is survived by her children: Kevin McCarron, Richard Snow, Jane Giangregorio, Maureen Hale, Liz Brim, and Gerard Snow; her siblings, Joan Harcus, Jeremiah Sullivan, Robert Sullivan and Karen Henneberry, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere Street, Revere.

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Peter Smith

Revere Resident

Peter G. Smith of Revere, formerly of West Roxbury, died suddenly on June 12.

A Vietnam veteran, he was the beloved son of the late Hilbert and Mary (Quinn) Smith; loving father of Melissa Mood and her husband, James of Mansfield and Daniel Smith of West Roxbury; cherished grandfather of Lexi Mackenzie Smith; devoted brother of Steven K. of Tampa, FL, Paul R. of Roslindale, Ellen J. Nichols of Ellsworth, ME, William C. of Stoughton, Christine M. of West Roxbury, Martha A. Heim of West Roxbury and the late Eric F. Smith. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, West Roxbury. Burial was in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. www.lawlerfuneralhome.com

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Robert Edmund DeSantis

Died Recently

Robert Edmund DeSantis, born November 9, 1914 died on June 14. He was 97 years old.

He was the beloved husband of the late Rose T. (Basanisi) DeSantis; devoted father of Eleanor Weeks and her husband, Herbert of Falmouth, Corrine Kirmelewicz and her husband, John of Groveland and Diane DeSantis of West Peabody; grandfather of Police Chief Robert John Kirmelewicz of the Groveland Police Dept. and his wife, Roberta of Bradford, Leanne Wright and her husband, Jason of Groveland, Christian D. Weeks and his wife, Lollie of Needham and Jason Weeks of Falmouth; great grandfather of Chelsea, Jenna, Molly and Luke Kirmelewicz of Bradford, Julia and Jacob Wright of Groveland and Jackson and Brody Weeks of Needham; brother of Al DeSantis of Florida and Mary Doering of Missouri.

His Funeral Mass was held at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere with arrangements by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons-Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the North Shore 75 Sylvan St. Danvers, Ma. 01923. For Guestbook visit www.buonfiglio.com

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Edmund Perry

Retired Union Plumber

Edmund H. Perry, formerly of Saugus, died on May 31 at his Revere home. He was 83 years old.

The husband of Barbara (Talieri) Perry, he was born in Everett, the son of the late Henry and Josephine (Howell) Perry. A United States Navy veteran of World War II and Korea, he served as a Navy frogman. Mr. Perry worked for many years as a union plumber.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children; Rosemarie Perry of Revere, Edmund Perry of Malden, Michael Perry of Tewksbury, Joanne Martin of New Hampshire, Cheryl Vitale of Peabody and John LePelley of Florida and six grandchildren. He was the brother of Robert Perry of Westfield, Franklin Perry of Saugus, William Perry of Quincy, Henry Perry of Chelsea, Marie Lemanski of Florida James Perry of Reading, Theresa Hartigan of Peabody and the late Gordon Perry. Mr. Perry was also the father of the late Annemarie, Thomas and Erik Perry and he was also predeceased by his first wife Anna (Buonopane) Perry.

Funeral arrangements were by the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, Saugus. Burial with Navy Honors was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For condolences www.BisbeePorcella.com.

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Gordon Cann

US Army Veteran

Gordon R. Cann of Malden, formerly of Revere, Melrose and Peabody, died on June 12 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital after a brief illness. He was 98 years old.

Born in Boston, he lived in Revere as a young man before moving to Melrose, Peabody and finally to Malden in 1995. He served with the US Army during World War II from August of 1942 until January of 1946. He retired as a collector with the MBTA after 40 years of service.

Mr. Cann was a longtimne member of the American Legion Post of Peabody and the Boston Carmens Union Local 589.

For most of his life, he belonged to the First Baptist Church of Revere and the Bay Road Chapel at Point of Pines, Revere. He was a dedicated member of Bay Road Chapel fulfilling any and all the services needed to maintain the building and the membership. He loved Bay Road Chapel and was a driving force in maintaining it as a functioning ministry and he gave of himself, selflessly and completely, for its betterment.

He was the husband of the late Irene B. (Armstrong) and the late Winona R. (Harpell); devoted father of Beverly J. Thibeau and her husband, Gilbert of Savannah, TX and Linda R. Ashburn and her husband, John of Malden; beloved grandfather of Michael S. Thibeau and his wife, Tammy of California and Matthew S. Thibeau and his wife, Monica of Texas and dear brother of Charles F. Cann of Revere. He is also lovingly survived by his great grandchildren, Thomas, Caitlyn, Andrew and Alexander and his niece, Connie A. Cann-Paglia of Revere.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472. For more information, visit: www.vertuccioandsmith.com.

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Dr. Robert Harney, Jr.

Well Known and Respected Sports Physician

Dr. Robert A. Harney Jr., of Winthrop, died peacefully on June 13 after a courageous battle with cancer.

A graduate of the University of Guadalajara and Boston University Schools of Medicine, Dr. Harney was a well respected orthopedic surgeon in the Boston area for over 25 years. He was a longtime partner of North Suburban Orthopedic Associates, member of the Hallmark Health medical staff, team physician for Winthrop High School, Melrose High School and the former Savio Prep High School.

Dr. Harney was past president of the American Academy of Sports Physicians, a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Massachusetts Orthopedic Association. He was an independent physician for the NFL players association. Through his years as a private physician, patients found confidence and trust in his friendly and calm demeanor; Colleagues found his commitments to patient care unwavering and his ability to teach, mentor and lead unsurpassed. As a result, he was recognized as a 2010 Hallmark Health Hero. ‘Dr. Bob,’ as he was so passionately known, was a tireless leader and innovator in Paralympic sports at the local, national and international levels. His career has been dedicated to the education and welfare of able-bodied, physically challenged and intellectually challenged athletes.

Dr. Bob Harney was a founder and past president of New England Disabled Sports. His dedication and compassion for the development of adaptive recreation was recognized in the naming of the Dr. Bob Harney Adaptive Sports Center at Loon Mountain. He was the 2008 recipient of the Jim Winthers award, a 2010 nominee for the George Steinbrenner award and was inducted into the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame in 2011. He was the national vice president of Disabled Sports USA and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. He was also a medical technical consultant for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body for pro-cycling, para-cycling, and the Tour de France. He was internationally recognized in Paralympic Sports and was instrumental in developing disability classifications for the Paralympic Games. He was named to the International Olympic/Paralympic medical technical teams in Nagano, Sydney, Salt Lake City, Athens, Torino, Beijing, and Vancouver.

Dr. Harney was inducted into the Winthrop High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. His community volunteering included: Physical Fitness Consultant for the Miss Massachusetts/Miss America Organization, New England Regional Spinal Cord Center, Professional Ski Instructors of America and Member of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Advisory Committee for Head Injury and Concussions. He was also a member of the Cottage Pk. YC. Dr. Harney is survived by his wife Andrea A. (Arcadipane) Harney, daughters Jessica D. (Harney) Griffin and her husband Michael of Charlestown and Kimberly M. Harney of Winthrop and his adored grandson, Andrew Robert Griffin. He was the dear brother of Dale Keating and her husband, John of Linwood, NJ, Paul Harney and his wife, Kathleen of Wakefield, and Peter Harney and his wife, Mary of Natick and is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass to celebrate Dr. Harney’s life will be held on Friday, June 22 at 4 p.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St. Winthrop. Relatives and friends are invited. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Dr. Bob Harney Sports Foundation P.O Box 520324 Winthrop, Ma 02152. Funeral arrangements are from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home 210 Winthrop St. WINTHROP. For more information, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com

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Dana Poindexter

Computer Tech and Boston Movie District Canteen Trucker

Dana M. Poindexter, a resident of Townsend for eight years and a former 15 year resident of Saugus, died unexpectedly after a long illness on June 17 (Father’s Day) at Leominster Hospital in Leominster. He was 63 years old.

Born and raised in Cambridge, he was a graduate of Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School, Class of 1966 and a 1968 graduate of St. Petersburg, Florida Junior College. Upon graduation, he remained in Florida for four years working as a computer technician. He then returned to Massachusetts and continued to work in the computer industry before starting his own canteen business within the Boston Theatre District.

He worked in the canteen business until becoming disabled after a long bout with Crohn’s Disease and Polycystic Kidney Disease. His illness has been a long struggle with long hospital stays, surgeries and therapies that have extended for almost 30 years. Within that span of time, he was able to be most present for his wife, two children and his grandchildren.

An avid fisherman and gardener, he was a Past Exalted Ruler (PER) of the Saugus Lodge of Elks #642 and a longtime member of the William Sutton Masonic Lodge of Saugus.

He was the beloved husband of 34 years of Doris J. (Oldford); devoted father of Renee J. Polonsky and her husband, Eric, of Burke, Virginia and Brett N. Poindexter and his wife, Bethany M. of Townsend, MA; the cherished grandfather of Alexis R. and Taylor E. Poindexter of Townsend and Rebecca J. and Lillian J. Polonsky of Burke, VA. He is also survived by his dear mother, Emma A. (D’Abbraccio) Poindexter of Concord, formerly of Arlington, and his brother, Howard J. Poindexter of South Carolina, two nephews, three nieces and many cousins. He was the son of the late John H. Poindexter.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours today, Wednesday, June 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere. His Funeral will be conducted in the Funeral Home on Thursday, June 21 at 11 a.m. followed by burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation, 8330 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO. 64114-2027, Attention: “Team Justin.”

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Antonetta ‘Netta’ Patti

Harvard Club of Boston retiree

Antonetta “Netta” (Amoroso) Patti of Lynnfield, formerly of East Boston, died on June 15 at the Sunrise Assisted Living of Lynnfield following a brief illness. She was 86 years old.

‘Netta’ retired at the age of 77 after 20 years of service with the Harvard Club of Boston as a hostess and server. She was a dedicated homemaker and enjoyed her entire family who brought her many joys. May she find peace and contentment in the next life in being re-united with all her loved ones.

She was the wife of the late Ralph Patti, Sr., who died in February of 1997; devoted mother of Ralph Patti Jr. and his wife, Linda of Broken Arrow, OK, Cheryl A. Soriano and her husband, Gerard of Bradford, Debra A. Patti of East Boston and Anthony Patti and his wife, Kristin of Wakefield; dear sister of the late Mary A. “Angie” DeMarco; cherished grandmother of Christina M. Vargas of Las Vegas, NV, Brianna M. Soriano of Bradford, Kevin A., Andrew R., Marisa L. and Amanda K. Patti, all of Wakefield and is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral from the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) Revere today, Wednesday, June 20 at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere, at 10 am. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. For more information and directions www.vertuccioandsmith.com

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Timothy Foley

Painter, and Driver for ‘The Ride’

Timothy M. Foley died unexpectedly at his Revere home on June 8. He was 52 years old.

Born in Winthrop, he was raised in Everett and Revere. He was a painter by trade who worked for Local 35 and was a member of the International Union of Paint and Allied Trades Local 35. He also worked as a driver for “The Ride” and was a custodian for Suffolk Downs.

He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth M. (Kozlowski) of Everett and the devoted son of Avery F. Foley of Coconut Creek, Florida and the late Helen L. (Laurenson) Foley; the dear brother of Patricia A. Lauren-Magrath of Revere, Kathleen Mack of Naples, Florida, John Foley and his wife, Eloise of Chelsea and the late Joyce A. Brandano and Daniel Foley. He is also lovingly survived by his companion, Kimberly Harol of Revere and his surrogate daughter, Stephanie A. Dillon and her husband, Michael of West Yarmouth and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to your favorite charity.